Thousands of undocumented Zimbabwean nationals have been stranded in an open field near the Langa train station in Epping, Cape Town, following the closure of the Department of Home Affairs voluntary repatriation centre.
As the coordinated humanitarian support operation to repatriate foreign nationals shifts to Musina, the government has not escaped scrutiny over their “inhumane” process, with thousands still stranded.
This scrutiny is expected to intensify with the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs undertaking a two-day urgent oversight visit.
The Western Cape Government on Sunday announced that together with municipalities, national government departments, humanitarian organisations, faith-based partners and law enforcement agencies, have “successfully concluded” in assisting foreign nationals who voluntarily elected to return to their countries of origin.
“All individuals who presented at municipal facilities and the Department of Home Affairs’ Epping offices in Cape Town have departed following extensive verification, registration and logistical planning undertaken by the department and supporting partners. Dozens of buses were procured for this purpose,” they said.
